Kermit L. Vance, 84, passed away Thursday morning, June 1, 2023, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS in Oxford.

Funeral services were Sunday, June 4, at the First Baptist Church of Sardis with the interment  at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville.

Kermit was born on January 23, 1939, to William Alfred Vance and Nora Ferguson Vance in McCarley, MS.

At age 6, Kermit started school at J C George school in Carrollton, MS with whom would be his lifelong friends, Charles Holman, Roger Bennett and Harry Herbert Sanders. These four wonderful guys finished 14 years of school together, graduating from Holmes Jr College in 1959. After 77 years of loyal friendship, sadly, Kermit is the first to leave the group. Kermit entered a career with United Gas Natural Gas Company, married and was transferred to Sardis in 1963 where he and his family resided until his death on June 1st. Kermit served his Lord faithfully, was a member of Sardis FBC where he served not only as chairman of Deacons but took on repairs and maintenance of anything that needed his attention. His children and wife wholeheartedly agree that he was a wonderful father, husband and breadwinner. All who knew Kermit loved and admired him for his work ethic and dedication to church, friends and community.

Left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Barbara, of 61 years, daughter, Janet Richey (Jimmy), son, John Vance (Lesley) and six grandchildren: Ashley Sanford (Daniel), Emma Bethay, Austin Richey (Molly), Alex Richey, Molly Vance and Adelia Vance.

Kermit was predeceased by his parents and siblings.

He leaves nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.